Unlocking Opportunities: A Guide to the Make Noise Today Scholarship and Other Music Scholarships

A music scholarship is a financial aid award given on the basis of a student’s involvement in the musical arts. These scholarships may be offered to music majors or hobbyists who pursue music for recreation; students who participate in choir, band, marching band, orchestra, composition, theory, musical theatre, and music education programs may qualify. The best scholarship for any particular student is one that is specific and catered to their interests and individual needs.

Navigating the World of Music Scholarships

Many colleges offer institutional scholarships for students pursuing music, especially if the student is enrolled in the college’s school of music. For instance, the University of Delaware awards music scholarships to incoming music majors who demonstrate excellence in their initial auditions. The best way to find and apply for music scholarships is by signing up for a free account on Scholarships.com. From there, music students can view the details for each of their scholarship matches and sort them in order to organize their applications.

There are music scholarships for students in every field imaginable, from show choir to bass clarinet to songwriting to viola, and at any skill and grade level. For instance, the Marine Band Concerto Competition for High School Musicians is open to high school students who play the harp, piano, and various string instruments. There are plenty of music scholarships open to non-majors, though they may have more applicants and thus be more competitive than more specialized awards. One example of a highly-specialized music scholarship for non-majors is the Coastal Alabama Business Chamber’s Singing for Scholarships Competition. This $1,000 singing-based award is only open to high schoolers in Alabama’s Baldwin County, which greatly limits the applicant pool. Students can apply regardless of whether they are enrolled in an academic singing program, let alone whether they wish to major in vocal performance.

Some music scholarships, especially those not offered through a college but rather a private organization, may require applicants to demonstrate financial need in order to qualify. Remember, completing the FAFSA does not mean you must accept any loans. It just allows the government to determine whether you qualify for federal financial aid. The San Francisco Conservatory of Music, for instance, awards merit-based scholarships that may cover a student’s entire attendance cost. Other schools may only award partial-cost scholarships for music students.

Finding scholarships based on your minority status is a great way to narrow down your scholarship search. For instance, the Make Noise Today Scholarship is open to AAPI students of the arts, including music. Another example of a music scholarship for minorities is the Singhaus Scholarship for the Performing Arts. Many music scholarships are solely merit-based, meaning that financial need status is not considered as a factor when the scholarship committee chooses its recipients. One example of a purely merit-based music scholarship is the prestigious Dolly Parton Songwriters Award.

Read also: Creating a Strong Student Resume

Spotlight on the Make Noise Today Scholarship

The Make Noise Today Scholarship is a beacon of opportunity for AAPI (Asian American and Pacific Islander) students passionate about the arts, including music. This scholarship recognizes the unique perspectives and contributions of AAPI individuals and supports their pursuit of artistic expression.

Eligibility and Award Details

The Make Noise Today Scholarship offers up to $2,000 to nine high school students each year. To be eligible, applicants must identify as Asian American or Pacific Islander and be currently enrolled in the 9th, 10th, 11th, or 12th grade. A crucial requirement is that applicants must follow Make Noise Today on Instagram to enter the contest.

The Contest: Echoes & Action: The AAPI Soul in a Changing World

The Make Noise Today Student Scholarship Contest & Exhibition received a record-breaking 600+ submissions. The theme, "Echoes & Action: The AAPI Soul in a Changing World," encourages students to explore their AAPI identity and its influence on their actions.

The contest prompts students to consider the values, traditions, or stories from their family or community that matter most to them and how these elements influence their perspectives on fairness, community, or their role in the world. It challenges them to share a moment when their AAPI identity inspired them to take action-whether it be to speak up, create, support others, or challenge something that didn’t feel right.

Submission Categories

The contest features three categories: Visual Arts, Performing Arts, and Literary Arts.

Visual Arts

In the Visual Arts category, students can submit paintings, drawings, sculptures, photography, or digital art that visually represents their "cultural foundation" or a specific "action" they took. Submissions can combine traditional imagery with modern symbols or create portraits that reflect both pride and struggle.

Performing Arts

The Performing Arts category invites students to create a video submission of a performance (maximum 3 minutes) that showcases how their AAPI culture lives through them today. This can include traditional cultural performances, contemporary dance and music, or spoken word. Performances should be authentic and intentional, expressing heritage, resistance, or belonging.

Literary Arts

The Literary Arts category encourages students to submit poetry, short stories, or personal essays (no more than 900 words or 3 minutes if video) that demonstrate how their AAPI roots shape their voice and actions. Entries can reflect on family memories, personal stories of speaking up, or the influence of AAPI identity on their views of justice and belonging.

Important Dates and Rules

Submissions for the contest open on January 12, 2026, and close on March 21, 2026, at 11:59 PM PST. All entries must be original work and in English or translated into English. Each participant is allowed one entry per category.

Special Call for Long Beach AAPI High School Students

Make Noise Today has a special connection to Long Beach, CA, where it was founded. A dedicated section is available for AAPI high school students who live in or attend school in Long Beach. This is an opportunity for these students to share their stories and perspectives as part of the community that helped launch Make Noise Today.

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Long Beach Local Excellence Prizes:

First Place: $2,000 (1 Winner)
Second Place: $1,000 (1 Winner)
Third Place: $500 (1 Winner)

Students who win in the Long Beach Local Excellence Award Track are subject to an exclusivity rule, ensuring maximum recognition across the talented pool of entrants. A student cannot win prizes in both the General Contest Awards and the Long Beach Local Excellence Award Track. In the event a Long Beach-based student scores highly enough to win in both a General Category and the Long Beach Local Excellence Track, the student will be awarded the prize that offers the highest monetary value.

Exhibition

Winning and select student submissions will be showcased as part of an in-person Make Noise Today student exhibition. Hosted by the Billie Jean King Main Library in Long Beach, CA, this exhibition is live now from June 13th to August 31st, 2025. For those who are unable to see the exhibition live, it can be viewed here.

Additional Scholarship Opportunities

Besides the Make Noise Today Scholarship, several other scholarships cater to music students with diverse talents and backgrounds.

Dolly Parton Songwriters Award

The Dolly Parton Songwriters Award is a prestigious annual competition designed for aspiring songwriters across the nation. Established in 2015, originally as the Nashville Songwriting Scholarship, this award offers a generous grant of $20,000 for up to two individuals.

ACT Scholarships

Three scholarships will be awarded in performance (acting/musical theatre) including the Patricia Putman Performing Scholarship in honor of the past executive director of ACT. Applications will be evaluated on artistic merit and quality of work.

POET Internships

POET actively recruits at colleges and universities across the United States during both fall and spring recruiting seasons. POET may hold interviews on-campus at select universities. International students are eligible to apply if they meet the criteria required of all interns or applicants including being legally entitled to work in the United States. It is the student's responsibility to obtain the appropriate visa, if applicable. POET hires students pursuing majors in areas applicable to our business, including accounting, agricultural studies, business, biology, CAD drafting, chemical engineering, chemistry, civil engineering, design/construction, electrical/instrumentation, environmental engineering, information systems, logistics, mechanical engineering, microbiology, marketing/communications, human resources, information technology.

If selected as a recipient, the student will receive a $5,000 award. Up to 5 awards will be granted. Awards are for undergraduate or graduate study. Beyond the financial support, students are expected to engage in enrichment programming throughout the tenure of their award with fellow scholarship recipients, foundation staff and volunteers.

Tips for Preparing Your Application

Regardless of the specific scholarship, some general guidelines can help you prepare a strong application.

Highlight Your Strengths: Focus on your unique talents, skills, and experiences in music. Whether you excel in performance, composition, or music education, showcase your passion and dedication.
Craft a Compelling Personal Essay: Use the essay to tell your story and explain why you are deserving of the scholarship. Share your aspirations, challenges, and how the scholarship will help you achieve your goals. If you are entering the Make Noise Today competition, be sure to share a moment when your AAPI identity pushed you to do something.
Gather Strong Letters of Recommendation: Ask teachers, mentors, or music professionals who know your work well to write letters of recommendation. Provide them with information about your accomplishments and goals to help them write a compelling letter.
Prepare a High-Quality Audition or Portfolio: If the scholarship requires an audition or portfolio, invest time and effort in preparing your best work. Practice your performance, refine your compositions, or create a visually stunning portfolio that showcases your talent. For the ACT scholarship, you should slate at the top of your audition. This should include: 1) your name; 2) play and playwright of your monologue(s);and 3) title of song and show/musical (if including a musical selection).

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